Nectarine tree named ‘red bright it’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree,  Prunus persica , broadly characterized by a large size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms during the mid season and requires about 525 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in mid June, with first picking on Jun. 10, 2016. The fruit is large in size, globose to slightly oblong in shape, clingstone in type, firm in texture, yellow with red bleeding in flesh color, full red in skin color, and acidic in flavor.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘Red Bright II’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, we,the inventors, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine,plum, apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. We also grow a smallernumber of open pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually tocapture recessive traits. The present invention relates to a new anddistinct variety of nectarine tree, which has been denominatedvarietally as ‘Red Bright II’.

The present variety was hybridized by us in 2008 as a first generationcross using a ‘5P452’ white flesh nectarine (unpatented) as the selectedseed parent and ‘Kay Diamond VII’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,715)nectarine, as the selected pollen parent. Upon reaching maturity thefruit of this cross was gathered, and the seeds were removed, cracked,stratified, germinated, and grown as seedlings on their own root in ourgreenhouse. Upon reaching dormancy the seedlings were transplanted as agroup to a cultivated area of our experimental orchard located near LeGrand, Calif., in Merced County (San Joaquin Valley). During the fruitevaluation season of 2012 we selected the present variety as a singletree from the group of seedlings described above. Subsequent toorigination of the present variety of nectarine tree, we asexuallyreproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimental orcharddescribed above, and such reproductions were true to the original treein all respects. The reproduction of the variety included the use of‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock upon which the present variety wascompatible and true to type.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent, ‘5P452’ (unpatented)nectarine, by producing nectarines that are firm, mostly red in skincolor, nearly globose in shape, and clingstone in type, but is quitedistinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is yellow instead ofwhite in flesh color and acidic instead of sub-acidic in flavor.

The present variety is similar to its pollen parent, ‘Kay Diamond VII’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,715) nectarine, by producing nectarines that aremedium to large in size, firm in texture, mostly red in skin color,nearly globose in shape, clingstone in type, acidic in flavor, andyellow in flesh color, but is quite distinguished therefrom by havingglobose leaf glands instead of being eglandular, by blooming in the midseason instead of early, and by producing fruit that matures abouttwenty-five days later.

The present variety is most similar to ‘Spring Bright’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 7,507) nectarine by being self-fertile, by blooming in the midseason, by having globose leaf glands, and by producing nectarines thatare firm in texture, mostly red in skin color, yellow in flesh color,nearly globose in shape, clingstone in type and very good in flavor, butis distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is larger in size,that has more red bleeding in the flesh, that has a bitter instead ofsweet kernel, and that matures about five days later.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present nectarine variety is characterized by a largesize, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearingtree. The variety blooms during the mid season and requires about 525chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditionsdescribed in mid June, with first picking on Jun. 10, 2016. The fruit islarge in size, globose to slightly oblong in shape, clingstone in type,firm in texture, yellow with red bleeding in flesh color, full red inskin color, and acidic in flavor.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one dividedfruit to reveal the flesh and stone, characteristic leaves, and twoinsets to reveal flower buds and a blossom as they appeared on the treeduring the blooming season.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of firm ripe on Jun. 14, 2016 on the original tree during theeighth growing season. The blossom and flower descriptions were made theprevious blooming season. All major color code designations are byreference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau ofStandards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

It is to be noted that the 2016 fruit season in California was very warmduring the spring and the ripening times of almost all varieties wereabout two weeks earlier than most other years.

PARENTAGE

-   Seed parent: ‘5P452’ (unpatented) nectarine.-   Pollen parent: ‘Kay Diamond VII’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,715)    nectarine.

TREE

-   Size: Large, reaching and maintaining a height of 14′ [4.27 m.] and    a spread of 14′ [4.27 m.] after eight growing seasons utilizing    typical dormant pruning.-   Vigor: Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and    fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of surplus    top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown    on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes.-   Growth: Spreading and dense.-   Form: Vase formed.-   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters.-   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central    California climatic conditions, which typically include extended    periods of heat.-   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and    require regular irrigation.-   Production: Productive, thinning necessary.-   Fertility: Self-fertile.-   Bearing: Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet observed.-   Approximate chilling requirement: 525 hours.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 4″ [102 mm.]            after the eighth growing season.        -   Texture.—Medium, shaggy.        -   Bark color.—A Light grayish yellowish brown [79. l.gy.yBr]            and Grayish yellowish brown [80. gy.yBr] variegation with            Brownish gray [64. brGy] crevices present.        -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 6. Color:            Moderate yellowish brown [77. m.yBr]. Average Size: ⅛″ [3.2            mm.] in length. The width is typically one fourth as much as            the length. Shape: Eye-shaped.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium, diameter of main scaffold is 2½″ [63.5 mm.]            measured 12″ above crotch, diameter of limb is 1¼″ [31.8            mm.] measured 12″ above first fork.        -   Texture.—Smooth to medium on first and second year wood,            increasing in roughness with age.        -   Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19. gy.R]. 1st            Year Wood Underside: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG].            Older Wood: A Light brown [57. l.Br] and Moderate brown [58.            m.Br] variegation with Grayish blown [61. Gy.Br] crevices            present.        -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: About 60 on second year            wood. Color: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr]. Average            size: Medium, 1/16″ [1.6 mm.] in length on second year wood.            The width is typically one fourth as much as the length.            Shape: Eye-shaped.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Very large. Average Length: 7″ [178 mm.]. Average            Width: 2 1/16″ [52.4 mm.].        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Form.—Elliptical.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Acute.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].            Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].        -   Margin.—Finely serrate.        -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.        -   Vein color.—Light yellow green [119. l.YG].        -   Petiole.—Average Length: ½″ [12.7 mm.]. Average Thickness:            ⅛″ [3.2 mm.]. Color: Light yellow green [119. l.YG] becoming            Strong yellow green [117. s.YG] with age.        -   Stipules.—Number: Usually 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing            tip. Average Length: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Color: Brilliant yellow            green [116. brill.YG] becoming Moderate reddish brown [43.            m.rBr] with maturity.        -   Glands.—Number: 2 to 4 per leaf. Position: Mostly alternate,            near the intersection of the petiole and base of blade.            Form: Globose. Size: Medium, about 1/32″ [0.8 mm.] in            diameter. Color: Light yellow green [119. l.YG] becoming            Moderate reddish brown [43. m.rBr] with age.        -   Leaf buds.—Pointed, medium in size.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California            blooming season.        -   Diameter.—Typically 5/16″ [7.9 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Length.—Typically ⅝″ [15.9 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Form.—Free, not touching.        -   Surface.—Pubescent.        -   Tip color.—Light pink [4. l.Pk].-   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,    about thirty stamens, five sepal and petal locations alternately    positioned.    -   -   Type.—Showy, large.        -   Average flower diameter.—2⅛″ [54.0 mm.].        -   Average flower depth.—½″ [12.7 mm.] when fully open.        -   Number of petals.—Usually five, extra petal fragments            commonly occur, double blossoms rarely observed.        -   Petal arrangement.—Overlapping.        -   Petal shape.—Circular to oval.        -   Petal margin.—Entire, somewhat wavy, occasional notches.        -   Average petal diameter.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].        -   Average petal length.—⅞″ [22.2 mm.].        -   Petal apex.—Rounded.        -   Petal base.—Rounded to somewhat truncate.        -   Petal color.—Pale pink [7. p.Pk] toward the apex, Light pink            [4. l.Pk] toward the base on both sides.        -   Anther color.—Strong red [12. s.R] over a Light yellow [86.            l.Y] center at bloom onset.        -   Pollen.—Anthers produce an abundance of Brilliant yellow            [83. brill.Y] pollen.        -   Stigma color.—Light greenish yellow [101. l.gY].        -   Stigma position.—Typically located about even with the            nearby anthers.        -   Stamen position.—Typically located about 1/32″ [0.8 mm]            below the petals.        -   Average pistil length.—¾″ [19.1 mm.].        -   Average stamen length.—⅝″ [15.9 mm.].        -   Ovary.—Smooth.        -   Sepal color.—Grayish purplish red [262. gy.pR] on the outer            surface. The inner surface is a somewhat translucent Pinkish            white [9. pkWhite] with both Grayish purplish red [262.            gy.pR] and Vivid yellow green [115. v.YG] areas visible.        -   Sepal length.—¼″ [6.4 mm.].        -   Sepal width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].        -   Sepal apex.—Rounded to elliptical to match the sepal length            and width.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Blooming period.—Medium, at the same time as ‘Spring Bright’            (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,507) nectarine.        -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Feb. 15, 2016.        -   Date of full bloom.—Feb. 24, 2016.        -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient            temperature.        -   Bloom density.—Medium to heavy.        -   Number per cluster.—1 to 3 with single flowers most common.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe, Jun. 14, 2016.-   Date of first picking: Jun. 10, 2016.-   Date of last picking: Jun. 20, 2016.-   Size: Large, mostly uniform.    -   -   Average diameter axially.—3 1/16″ [77.8 mm.].        -   Average diameter across suture plane.—3 [76.2 mm.].        -   Average diameter across cheek plane.—2⅞″ [73.0 mm.].        -   Typical weight.—8.9 ounces [252 grams].-   Form: Globose to slightly oblong, slightly asymmetrical.    -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Round, slightly oblong.        -   Axial view.—Round.-   Suture: A shallow trough extending from the base to just beyond the    pistil point.    -   -   Near the base.—A shallow groove.        -   Along the side.—A shallow trough.        -   Near the apex.—A shallow groove.-   Ventral surface: Rounded, lipped on both sides.-   Lips: Slightly unequal.-   Cavity: Flaring, suture showing on one side, Very orange yellow [66.    v.OY] stem markings typical.    -   -   Depth.—½″ [12.7 mm.].        -   Breadth.—1⅛″ [28.6 mm.].-   Base: Truncate, very slightly cordate if viewed parallel to the    suture.-   Apex: Rounded, cordate if viewed parallel to the suture.-   Pistil point: Apical, negligible in length, usually depressed within    the suture.-   Stem: Medium.    -   -   Average length.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Average width.—⅛″ [3.2 mm.].-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Astringent.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.        -   Color.—Very deep red [14. v.deep R] over a Moderate red [15.            m.R] background with moderate Light yellow [86. l.Y]            freckling toward the apex.-   Flesh:    -   -   Color.—Brilliant orange yellow [67. brill.OY] with Dark red            [16. d.R] bleeding and flecking throughout.        -   Surface of pit cavity.—Covered with Strong orange yellow            [68. s.OY] broken fibers when twisted from the stone.        -   Amygdalin.—Moderate.        -   Juice.—Moderate, rich.        -   Texture.—Firm, crisp.        -   Fibers.—Abundant, fine, tender.        -   Ripens.—Fairly evenly.        -   Flavor.—Acidic, ample sugar, typically 14 brix.        -   Aroma.—Very slight.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Form: Oval.-   Hilum: Narrow, oval.-   Base: Slightly rounded.-   Apex: Acuminate.-   Sides: Slightly unequal.-   Tip: Sharp, approximately 1/16″ [1.6 mm.] in length.-   Surface: Irregularly furrowed toward the apex, pitted toward the    base.-   Ridges: Jagged.-   External color: Moderate orange yellow [71. m.OY].-   Pit wall color when cracked: Light orange yellow [70. l.OY].-   Cavity surface color: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr] with Dark    orange yellow [72. d.OY] areas toward the apex.-   Average pit wall thickness: ¼″ [6.4 mm.].-   Average length: 1⅝″ [41.3 mm.].-   Average width: 1⅛″ [28.6 mm.].-   Average breadth: ⅞″ [22.2 mm.].-   Tendency to split: None observed.-   Kernel:    -   -   Form.—Oval.        -   Skin color.—Light yellow [86. l.Y] when first removed.        -   Pellicle color.—Deep yellowish brown [75. deep yBr].        -   Vein color.—Light brown [57. l.Br].        -   Taste.—Bitter.        -   Viable.—Yes.        -   Average length.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].        -   Average width.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.].        -   Amygdalin.—Abundant.

USE

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Good, fruit quality observed to remain in good    condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°    Celsius].-   Shipping quality: Good.-   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.-   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

OTHER NOTES

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantiallyas illustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Spring Bright’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,507) nectarine by being self-fertile, by bloomingin the mid season, by having globose leaf glands, and by producingnectarines that are firm in texture, mostly red in skin color, yellow inflesh color, nearly globose in shape, clingstone in type and very goodin flavor, but is distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that islarger in size, that has more red bleeding in the flesh, that has abitter instead of sweet kernel, and that matures about five days later.